Keeping Children Safe at Silver Birch Primary School

At Silver Birch Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected and protected. We believe that children can only achieve their full potential when they feel safe, happy and supported.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and we work closely with families, external agencies and the wider community to ensure that all children receive the care, guidance and protection they need. We encourage all members of our school community to remain vigilant and to share any concerns they may have about the welfare or safety of a child.

Our Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mrs C. Jones - Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Mrs N. Leyland - Deputy Headteacher

We are also fortunate to work closely with Mrs Donna Hargraves, our Early Help Officer, who is employed through Together for Children and works in school two days each week. Mrs Hargraves provides valuable support for children and families, helping to ensure that support is available at the earliest opportunity when challenges arise.

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child attending our school, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team immediately.

Early Help and Family Support

At Silver Birch Primary School, we recognise that families may sometimes need additional support. Through our partnership with our Early Help Officer and a range of external agencies, we can help families access advice, guidance and practical support at the earliest opportunity.

We believe that providing help early can often prevent difficulties from escalating and ensures that children and families receive the right support at the right time.

Operation Encompass

Silver Birch Primary School is proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a nationally recognised initiative which supports children who may have been affected by domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass is a partnership between schools, police and safeguarding agencies. Following a domestic abuse incident where a child has been present, witnessed or been affected by the incident, the police will share information securely with the school before the start of the next school day. This enables us to provide timely and appropriate support for the child.

Being part of Operation Encompass helps us to:

• Provide immediate support for children who may be experiencing emotional distress.
• Ensure children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
• Work effectively with families and external agencies.
• Promote children's wellbeing and resilience.

All information shared through Operation Encompass is treated confidentially and in accordance with safeguarding and data protection requirements.

For more information, please visit: www.operationencompass.org

Keeping Children Safe in Education

At Silver Birch Primary School, we follow the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). This guidance underpins all of our safeguarding procedures and ensures that safeguarding remains a priority across every aspect of school life.

All staff, governors and regular volunteers receive safeguarding and child protection training, alongside regular updates throughout the year. This ensures that everyone working in our school understands their responsibilities and can recognise when a child may be vulnerable, at risk of harm or in need of additional support.

Staff training includes:

• Child protection and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Early help and intervention.
• Online safety.
• Mental health and wellbeing.
• Child-on-child abuse.
• Attendance and safeguarding.
• Domestic abuse awareness.
• Prevent Duty and protecting children from radicalisation.
• Recognising vulnerability and safeguarding risks.

Safeguarding is a standing item within staff training and meetings, ensuring that knowledge remains current and staff are kept informed of any updates to national guidance and local procedures.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Prevent Duty

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, Silver Birch Primary School is fully committed to the Prevent Duty, which aims to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

Through our curriculum, assemblies, personal development programme and promotion of British Values, children learn about:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

All staff receive Prevent training and understand their responsibilities in identifying and responding to concerns. Any concerns are managed in line with our safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, in partnership with external agencies.

Silver Birch Primary School Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

Our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure outlines the measures we take to protect children and the procedures staff follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

The policy reflects current legislation and national guidance and is reviewed regularly by school leaders and governors to ensure it remains up to date and effective.

Through robust safeguarding procedures, regular training, safer recruitment practices and strong partnerships with families and external agencies, we are committed to maintaining a culture where children feel safe, listened to and valued.

 Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you are concerned about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person, please report your concern as soon as possible.

Sunderland Safeguarding Children's Services

Children's Safeguarding Team
Telephone: 0191 561 7007

Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours)
Telephone: 0191 520 5560

Emergency Services

• Call 999 in an emergency
• Call 101 for non-emergency police concerns

Concerns About a Child at Silver Birch Primary School

If your concern relates to a child attending Silver Birch Primary School, please contact a member of our safeguarding team immediately.

Telephone: 0191 500 9695
Email: safeguarding@silverbirchprimary.co.uk

Any concerns shared with the school will be taken seriously and dealt with sensitively, appropriately and in line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.

Remember: safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. If you are worried about a child, never assume that someone else has reported it. Speak to someone and share your concern.

Concerns About an Adult Working in School

At Silver Birch Primary School, we take all concerns about adults working with children extremely seriously.

If you have a concern about the conduct or behaviour of a member of staff, volunteer, governor, visitor or any other adult working within the school, you should report this immediately to:

Mrs C. Jones, Headteacher
Telephone: 0191 500 9695
Email: safeguarding@silverbirchprimary.co.uk

If your concern relates to the Headteacher, please contact the Chair of Governors through the school office.

All concerns will be treated seriously and managed in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and local safeguarding guidance. Our priority will always be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.

Safeguarding in School

Safeguarding extends far beyond child protection. At Silver Birch Primary School, safeguarding includes:

• Promoting children's health, safety and wellbeing.
• Supporting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Online safety and responsible use of technology.
• Attendance and inclusion.
• Anti-bullying and respectful relationships.
• Supporting children with additional needs and vulnerabilities.
• Working in partnership with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Teaching children how to recognise risks and stay safe.

Through our curriculum, assemblies, workshops and daily interactions, we help children develop the knowledge, confidence and resilience they need to stay safe both in school and in the wider world.

A Culture of Safeguarding

At Silver Birch Primary School, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and is embedded throughout our school community. Whilst our primary focus is always the safety and wellbeing of children, we are also committed to ensuring that staff, volunteers and visitors work in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.

We recognise that creating a strong safeguarding culture means:

• Ensuring children feel safe, listened to and valued.
• Providing staff with regular safeguarding training and support.
• Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for both pupils and staff.
• Maintaining clear systems for reporting concerns.
• Encouraging professional curiosity and vigilance.
• Working in partnership with families and external agencies.
• Creating an environment where everyone understands their role in safeguarding.

All adults working within our school are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and share our commitment to protecting children and promoting their welfare.

Safer Recruitment

Silver Birch Primary School is committed to ensuring that suitable adults work with children and young people.

We operate robust Safer Recruitment procedures and follow all statutory guidance when appointing staff, governors, volunteers and contractors.

This includes:

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where appropriate.
• Identity verification checks.
• Reference checks.
• Employment history checks.
• Qualification verification.
• Suitability checks to work with children.

These procedures help ensure that every adult working within our school shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Visitors to School

The safety of our pupils is paramount.

All visitors to school must:

• Report to the school office on arrival.
• Sign in using our visitor management system.
• Present identification if requested.
• Wear a visitor badge at all times whilst on site.
• Follow the school's safeguarding procedures and expectations.

Visitors should never enter the school building without first reporting to Reception.

Useful Safeguarding Links

Sunderland Safeguarding Children Partnership

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Together for Children Sunderland

Operation Encompass

NSPCC

Childline

Pevent

Working Together to Keep Children Safe

Safeguarding is most effective when schools, families and communities work together. We are committed to fostering strong relationships with parents, carers and external agencies and encourage anyone with concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing to contact us.

At Silver Birch Primary School, we are proud of our strong safeguarding culture. We strive to create an environment where children feel safe to learn, staff feel supported in their roles and families feel confident that their children are cared for, protected and valued.

If you have a safeguarding concern, no matter how small it may seem, please speak to us. We are here to listen, support and act when needed.